(This is the latest in a regular weekly series of spotlights on green technology that’s accessible to you and me. If you have a green technology or gadget to suggest for coverage, please send a note via my contact email.)
Interested in a home energy management system but don’t want to buy it from a specific utility company or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor? EnergyHub has begun selling an option that can be bought independently by consumers or homeowners. The company is pitching the technology as a way for consumers to save hundreds of dollars on their electricity bills each year by being smarter about consumption habits.
The system includes the HomeBase, which is the gateway that collects information from compatible thermostats and devices. The EnergyHub Socket adapter connects individual appliances into the system. (I don’t know about you, but it looks to me like the Socket product is a bit bulky, which could be a challenge for people who have their appliances wedged back into tight areas of their home. But I digress.) There are also Strips and Thermostats that can communicate with the Home Base.
The HomeBase displays the energy usage information in real time. It also connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi or a broadband connection so that a homeowner can control different components and appliances that are connected to the system through a portal called MyHub. The portal, in turn, can be accessed via a personal computer or with mobile applications. Supported platforms include iOS (for iPod, iPad, iPhone and iTouch) and Android.
The Energy Hub Home Base comes with either a ZigBee or ERT radio system; these are two common formats used by smart meters to broadcast electricity consumption information.
The video below gives you a sense of how the system works and which edition you might need for your home.
Explore saving energy with EnergyHub from EnergyHub on Vimeo.
You can buy different components of the EnergyHub solution separately or in bundled configurations. For example, a Home Base plus a thermostate (ZigBee edition) is priced at $299.99 while an ERT version would cost $389.99. A starter kit that includes a Home Base, Socket and Strip is priced at $324.99 for ZigBee or $414.99 for ERT. Individual Sockets, Strips and Thermostats cost $39.99, $89.99 and $99.99, respectively.
Past Green Gadgets of the Week:
- IDAPT i1 Eco charger shuts down when done
- Eaton UPS shuts down power-hungry accessories
- Logitech solar keyboard for Mac
- Suntrica SolarStrap
- SportsArt self-powered fitness equipment
- RainPerfect solar pump for rain barrels
- Philips LED replacement for 75-watt bulbs
- K3 Wind & Solar Charger
- Logitech solar wireless keyboard
- Voltaic Spark solar iPad cover
- Samsung Replenish smartphone (from Sprint)
